Marnie Oursler’s ‘Big Beach Builds’ Season 2 to air April 9
Home building in Bethany Beach is second nature for fifth-generation builder Marnie Oursler, who grew up in Virginia and Maryland before making Bethany Beach her new hometown and starting Marnie Custom Homes while in her 20s.
As the the host of DIY Network’s “Big Beach Builds,” with Season 2 coming to air Monday, April 9, Oursler helps homeowners navigate the process of either renovating an existing coastal home or building new. She renovated her first Bethany Beach home when she moved into town and has since built a total of four new homes for herself, currently living in North Bethany, oceanside. LEED-certified and with sustainability on the top of her list, Oursler sources American-made materials for all the homes she builds.
With a master’s in business administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and as a member of the board of advisors for The Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, Oursler is recognized for her innovation, relatability and attention to detail. Listening first to homeowners’ needs, wants and concerns, she can turn their dreams of coastal home living into reality through a combination of her building know-how and knowledge of the real estate market from having worked as a real estate agent before starting her building business.
Oursler is known for her clever, custom bunk beds in kids’ rooms, dining table-type islands in kitchens, and overall livable spaces. Recent clients include Bill Eager, vice president of CarFax, and Nick Mangold, former NY Jets player, whose home will be photographed soon. Both homeowners would love to share their stories of working with Oursler.
Most recently she was the co-host of HGTV’s 2018 Dream Home that aired in January, transforming a Washington state home into a dream home for a lucky new homeowner.
Oursler has garnered numerous awards including Professional Builder Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Award; Strong, Smart, & Bold Award from Girls Inc.; and Gold Stevie Award as Entrepreneur of the Year for Women in Business.
